I smile softly to myself when I see the familiar shape under the water, approaching the ship quickly. Finally. I glance over my shoulder, making sure everyone else is below deck, before I duck under the wooden rails to sit on a ledge. I watch you surface just as I shift closer to the water, your face lit up even in the darkness.

“There’s my favorite mermaid,” I say teasingly, the corner of my lips tilting up.

I’ve been apart of this crew for a while now, but it was a few weeks ago when we first crossed paths. I had been walking along the beach, just clearing my head before boarding, when I saw you sat up on some rocks. I was mesmerized instantly.

You were freaked out at first, thinking I’d capture you for some extra money, but I was quick to reassure you. I’d be a fool to ruin something so beautiful. So I promised not to tell anyone on my crew about seeing you.

The rest is history.

“C’mere, look what I got while we were in town yesterday,” I wave you closer and pull up my left sleeve. Wrapping around my forearm is a new tattoo of a mermaid, matching your tail’s detailing. “Even has your hair,” I grin.